Unions Warn Ed Miliband His North Sea Stance Could Cost Labour Votes
Unite and GMB call on the UK Energy Secretary to allow new oil drilling in the North Sea, warning of electoral impact ahead of local elections.
Ed Miliband North Sea drilling row intensifies as unions warn Labour of voter backlash over oil and gas ban amid rising energy costs.
A key trade union, Labour, warned Ed Miliband to back expanded North Sea drilling or risk the party facing voter backlash for the upcoming local elections.
The general secretary of Unite - Sharon Graham branded the Energy Secretary's ban on new oil and gas exploration off Britain's seashore as an 'act of self-harm'.
She warned Labour's posture on fossil fuels would see it experience even heavier losses than had already been hoped across England, Scotland and Wales.
In the wake of Iran's nuclear program, which has sent energy prices rocketing, Mr Miliband is facing high pressure to lessen his stance over the UK's untapped oil and gas reserves.
A higher number of Labour MPs are calling on him to allow the new drilling, while it has emerged that Chancellor Rachel Reeves wishes to enhance production.
Gary Smith, who is the general secretary of the GMB union, has also been known for a rethink of Mr Miliband's Net Zero agenda in the middle of the Middle East crisis.
It was just reported that Mr Miliband could be minded to endorse a plan at Jackdaw, a chief gas field off the coast of Aberdeen.
Ms Graham gives a warning that the voters face up to a worsening cost of living disaster due to the impact of the Iran war, the party's losses could be even better. She said, 'The
Government's energy policies in both Westminster and Holyrood are putting North Sea jobs and the UK economy'.
She also added, 'This is an act of self-harm, and Labour will certainly pay the price in the May elections.’
